Roading news, February rates instalment and local events

Published on 09 February 2024

The latest from Mayor Len

Over the weekend and through the Waitangi Day public holiday, our district saw an influx of visitors, and I’d like to extend my gratitude to everyone who contributed to keeping our visitor-centric industries running smoothly during this time.  

I also want to take a moment to express my gratitude to the dedicated volunteers who lead our resident and ratepayers groups. These individuals tirelessly work behind the scenes, providing invaluable engagement with our Council on a range of local issues. 

We are committed to enhancing collaboration between our Council, elected members, and resident and ratepayers groups. Thank you to all involved in these and other volunteer-driven groups for your outstanding service to our community. 

We are gearing up for a particularly busy time at Council. Soon, we will be launching the proposed Long Term Plan, outlining our district's strategic direction and priorities for the coming years.  Additionally, we will soon be seeking your thoughts on our Representation Review. This will shape the way our district is governed and represented. Your input is crucial in ensuring that our representation accurately reflects the needs and values of our diverse community. 

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend ahead. 

Rates payments instalment two due Thursday 15 February 

Council rates for instalment two are due on 15 February for those ratepayers who pay by instalment. A late payment penalty will be applied on 22 February for any outstanding balances on instalment 2. 

This doesn’t apply if you’ve already paid your rates for the full year or if you pay by direct debit. If you pay by automatic payment, make sure the payment amount is enough to cover the amount owing as specified on your rates notice. These were posted and emailed to ratepayers in mid-January. If you need a copy of your rates notice contact us on customer.services@tcdc.govt.nz or 07 868 0200 or online at www.tcdc.govt.nz/rfs.   

Payment methods 

Direct debit – this is our preferred payment method as it reduces administrative costs and reduces missed or late payments. Download the direct debit authority form by clicking here.  

Automatic payment – contact your bank to set up an automatic payment. 

Credit card – online via our secure payment portal or over the counter at one of our service centres.  

Internet banking – through your bank’s app or website. Find more information here.

Expressions of interest: Running Thames' visitor services

The current agreement to manage the Thames visitor information service will expire on Sunday 30 June 2024. We’re seeking expressions of interest from anyone who may like to run the service from Monday 1 July this year. 

If you are interested in taking on the visitor information services in Thames, you will need to demonstrate you can provide friendly, reliable customer service, and look for alternative funding streams if you want to deliver more than what is required in our Service Level Agreement.

The following services and information will be required:

• Providing visitors with face-to-face communication.
• Provide visitors with local and district tourism information.
• Providing an area to display posters of upcoming events.
• Providing booking services for local, district and regional accommodation, attractions, activities, tours and local transport.
• Promoting the Thames area and the wider Thames-Coromandel District capitalising on existing communication, marketing and promotional material, along with other relevant channels.
• Support and promote any local initiative that will build on our Council's vision that 'the Coromandel will be the most desirable area of New Zealand in which to live, work and visit'.
• Disseminate local information, including Council information and updates.
• Be available seven days per week during the peak summer period.

The day-to-day management of the visitor information service is the responsibility of the service provider, with our Council providing a set amount of funding through a service level agreement.    

Expressions of Interest close 5pm, Thursday 29 February 2024. If you’d like to chat to us about options or have some other ideas of how to offer the service, please contact Kirstin Scarrott on 07 868 0200 or by email kirstin.scarrott@tcdc.govt.nz.

Recovery works to resume on local roads and state highways

Waka Kotahi NZTA's work programme to repair damage caused by last summer’s extreme weather across the Coromandel’s state highway network ramps up from mid-February, as does our Council's own programme of recovery road work.

From mid-February teams will be working with stop/go traffic management in place at up to six locations around the peninsula, and from mid-March at up to 10 locations. Work will also be carried out on SH2 in the Karangahake Gorge and SH27 at Kaihere.

SH25 south of Whangamata will be closed periodically from this week for up to 30 minutes during the day to allow crews to resurface the road.

All these works will mean delays for road users, which we know can be frustrating, but the work is necessary. Please plan ahead and allow extra time for your journey.

Red and yellow week kerbside collections resume  

All kerbside collections return to the standard alternate yellow and red weeks from this Monday 12 February.

It’s a yellow week from Monday 12 February for the whole district – which means mixed recycling, glass and food scraps bins will be collected.

Monday: Whangamatā South, Mercury Bay South 
Tuesday: Whangamatā North, Onemana, Ōpoutere, Whitianga
Wednesday: Coromandel Town & Te Kōuma, Coromandel Rural North, Thames Coast & Manāia, Mercury Bay North 
Thursday: Thames & Surrounds, Thames Rural South, Tairua 
Friday: Pāuanui  

The following week (beginning Monday 19 February) is red week – for rubbish and food scraps. For red/yellow week collection schedules, visit www.tcdc.govt.nz/bindays.

Opportunities at our Council

We are currently looking for our next Strategic & District Planning Team Leader and Customer Services Representative (Thames).

At our Council we ensure work-life balance is not just a dream but a reality.

We offer an array of staff benefits including flexible work arrangements, relocation allowance, free parking, sick leave on commencement of employment and more. 

What's on?

Mercury Bay Art Escape
Weekends of 2–3 March and the 9–10 March
Gala Opening on Friday, 1 March, 6pm at Hot Waves Cafe, Hot Water Beach.

Mercury Bay Art Escape is your chance to visit 40 artists in the stunning east coast of the Coromandel, from Matarangi to Hikuai. The annual artists' open studios in the first two weekends of March, provides a unique opportunity to visit and chat with member artists in their studios, see their work in progress, find what inspires them and what new art they are working on and buy direct from their studio.

You can meet the artists, attend the Gala opening, view and purchase works, like this stunning work pictured, by Souzie Speerstra.

Careers Roadshow coming soon

Our Council is facilitating a collaborative Careers Roadshow this month, from Monday 19 to Friday 23 February.

We'd love for you to join us at your local roadshow. We’re hosting these to help young people and jobseekers access work and training opportunities, plus career information.

These are being hosted by each of the local secondary schools and will be attended by all senior students, with time allocated each day for the public and local jobseekers to attend.

• Monday 19 February: Whangamatā Area School. 10am–3pm, open to the public 2–3pm.
• Tuesday 20 February: Mercury Bay Area School. Whitianga. 10am–4pm, open to the public 3–4pm.
• Wednesday 21 February: Te Wharekura o Manaia. 10am–2pm, open to the public 1.30–2pm.
• Thursday 22 February: Coromandel Area School. 10am–2pm, open to the public 2–3pm.
• Friday 23 February: Thames Civic Centre. 10am–3pm, open to the public 2–3pm.

Adoptable dogs